Consumer confidence falls

Any business counting on a pickup in consumer spending should take note: An early peek at consumer confidence among Floridians in October shows that consumers? outlook is dismal.

The decline was most apparent when pollsters from the University of Florida asked people whether this is a good time to buy an expensive or big-ticket item. That part of the index sank 14 points to an all-time low of 52.

"Florida consumers are becoming increasingly pessimistic about their ability to maintain financial stability," said Chris McCarty, director of UF?s Survey Research Center at the Bureau of Economic and Business, said in a statement.

According to preliminary results of surveys in October, Florida?s consumer confidence index plummeted eight points to 60 in October, almost matching its all-time record low.

When the full survey is completed and released in November, McCarty said he expect the consumer confidence reading to be at or below its record low of 59, which was recorded in June.